Chapter 101: Armfuls on Both Sides
"So slow!"
After waiting patiently for over forty minutes, Takumi called out to the two girls who finally showed up. Keni hurried over with an apologetic bow.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kouichi-kun."
The girl was dressed in a light-purple yukata patterned with cherry blossoms. Takumi noticed she'd changed her distinctive sharp, angular hairstyle into something softer and more ordinary—like a typical short-haired girl. Her slender willow brows had a touch of subtle liner, making her look even cuter. He couldn't help praising her.
"The new hairstyle is super cute. It's just light makeup, but you look completely refreshed. Really nice."
A woman dresses to please the one she loves. Hearing Takumi's words, Keni broke into a beaming smile. Then Takumi shifted his gaze to Miu. She'd changed her hairstyle too—loose, wavy curls. She hadn't drawn on her brows, but she still kept up her "ladylike etiquette" with a faint layer of lip gloss. The teal yukata hugged her figure, emphasizing her curvaceous front and back. Seeing the expectant look in her eyes, Takumi grinned.
"Yukata's meant to show off a great figure, so going braless is actually a smart move. That's proper yukata etiquette too."
"…"
"Why is that the only thing you notice about me, you pervert?!"
Miu's face flushed crimson. She stepped forward and threw a fierce punch with a whistling gust of wind. Takumi crossed his arms and blocked it solidly. The sharp shockwave burst outward from the point of impact, fluttering all three of their clothes.
"I'm so jealous… I can't use a yukata to show off my figure at all."
Keni clutched the front of her yukata, looking envious. Miu's ahoge swayed as she shot Takumi a glare. He immediately understood and comforted her.
"Keni, don't say that. You look incredibly cute in a yukata too. And I've heard drinking lots of papaya milk and getting regular massages can bring some nice surprises."
Takumi made a lewd clawing gesture at chest level. Keni squirmed shyly.
"I've drunk papaya milk before, but… massages are too embarrassing."
"No problem. I'll give you plenty from now on until you get used to it."
Miu's beautiful leg swept in a high kick. Takumi bent backward in an impossible iron-bridge dodge.
"Hm. Striped green panties. Kinda clashes with the yukata."
"You erotic freak! Is that seriously all you see?!"
Miu attacked furiously in embarrassment. But since neither was truly angry, their strength was roughly equal. To Keni it looked like a dizzying blur—yet the way they traded blows felt more like a couple dancing, perfectly in sync, coming and going with practiced ease.
After twenty minutes of playful chaos, the three finally set off toward the festival streets.
The summer festival—August 15th—was a traditional Japanese event. People dressed in beautiful yukata or kimono, strolled the streets, shopped, and enjoyed games and activities.
Once they left Ryōzanpaku's grounds, the festive atmosphere hit them fully—bursts of laughter and chatter everywhere, couples in traditional yukata walking hand in hand. Takumi cleared his throat, stretched out both arms. Keni blushed but obediently linked her arm with his right one. Miu—despite her jealousy and how often Takumi provoked her into hitting him—strictly kept the promise she'd once made: she wouldn't complain about his womanizing ways. So she quietly took his left arm too.
Two very different girls—one in teal, one in purple cherry-blossom yukata—flanking Takumi like this instantly drew envious stares from passersby.
"Damn, that guy's got one on each arm? Jealous as hell."
"Ugh, one of them's gotta be his little sister."
"I curse them both to be long-lost blood-related sisters."
Takumi caught every word and felt nothing but smug pride. You poor 2D and 3D tragic bachelors could never understand a warrior of love like me. He slid his hands down to their waists, pulling them closer—making it crystal clear to everyone: these were definitely not sisters.
"Takoyaki! Delicious takoyaki here!"
"Taiyaki! So sweet and yummy!"
"Oden! Come try some!"
"Chocolate-dipped bananas, only two hundred yen!"
The street was lined with stalls overflowing with snacks. Takumi laughed.
"Eat whatever you want, play whatever you want—go wild. My date budget is loaded."
"You can't just throw money around like that."
Miu gave him a sideways glance but still happily bought some takoyaki. Keni picked up a fluffy cloud of cotton candy. Takumi grabbed a toothpick to try the takoyaki too—then paused, held one out toward Miu in a feeding gesture. Her cheeks reddened, but she didn't tsundere out; she speared one and popped it into his mouth. Takumi suddenly engulfed the takoyaki—and her finger—giving it a light nibble and lick. Electricity shot through Miu; her face blazed scarlet as she yanked her hand back and glared.
Keni looked on enviously. Should've gotten takoyaki too… Then her own face flushed crimson and she nearly yelped—because a hand had just sneaked around and given her butt a few gentle squeezes. She looked up to meet Takumi's teasing half-smile and instantly relaxed. It was him—not some random creep.
And so they wandered, sampling every treat. Whenever he got the chance, Takumi took liberties—stealing kisses, groping breasts, slapping butts—leaving both girls flushed and stifling squeals, desperately holding back their reactions.
"Look—goldfish scooping over there! Let's try it!"
Keni spotted the kingyo-sukui stall and wanted to give it a go. The game used a thin paper net scoop to catch goldfish—but the net tore easily, and the fish's struggles usually splashed water in your face. Even though Keni's martial skills had improved a bit, she still caught zero. The stall owner kept chuckling. He turned to Takumi.
"Hey young man, wanna get revenge for your girlfriend?"
"Sure, I'll do it."
"Thanks for your patronage! One hundred yen gets you three scoops."
Takumi paid. The owner grinned—then quickly stopped smiling. Takumi used just one net, moving like a blur, hands flashing like Kannon's thousand arms. He scooped up every single goldfish without missing one. The owner looked ready to cry. Why did I have to open my big mouth?! How was I supposed to know this guy's a top-tier master?! Should've realized from the two girlfriends… Luckily Takumi didn't bully him further; he only took the two prettiest ones, let the owner bag them in a small plastic bowl, and handed them to Keni. She carried them happily.
To keep things fair, Takumi turned to Miu.
"Miu, what do you want to play?"
If it was scooping, ring toss, or shooting games, Miu wouldn't need help. But she zeroed in on a claw machine stocked with plush toys. You controlled the mechanical arm to grab them.
Takumi exchanged twenty 100-yen coins. Miu took over. Despite her martial prowess, she'd never really played these before. She failed nineteen times straight and still couldn't snag the cat plush she wanted. She was furious, frustrated, and heartbroken—1,900 yen gone just like that. With the last coin in hand, she hesitated.
"Watch this."
Takumi fed the coin in, maneuvered the claw toward the cat… and right at the edge of the chute, it dropped. His face turned beet red. Refusing to give up, he pulled out more coins—until Miu grabbed his arm.
"Stop wasting money. That plush isn't worth two thousand yen."
"Damn it! So close!"
Takumi reluctantly stepped back. Then Keni spoke up.
"Let me try."
Three minutes later, Takumi was bowing in worship.
"Keni, you're a literal goddess."
The same girl who was hopeless at goldfish scooping played the claw machine like it was guided by divine hands. She precisely grabbed plush toys by the tail and dropped several perfect ones. In the end the three of them walked away loaded with stuffed animals, completely satisfied.
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